US News - The Actual News

Morning news brief

July 02, 2025

A major bill has passed in the Senate and will return to the House for further discussion. This bill affects taxes and government spending and may impact people on Medicaid. Additionally, the Trump administration plans to reduce the budget of the ATF and make gun regulations less strict.

Key Facts:

The Senate approved a significant bill focused on taxes and spending.
The bill will now go back to the House of Representatives for further examination.
Medicaid recipients may be affected by changes proposed in the bill.
The Trump administration intends to cut the budget for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Plans include making gun regulations less strict.

Source Information

NPR National

America has a major birthday coming up — here's what to expect for the big 2-5-0

July 02, 2025

The United States is planning many events to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, known as the Semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026. Celebrations will include parades, fireworks, and educational programs, organized by national and local groups, with a major kickoff event on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Two main organizations, America250 Commission and Task Force 250, are coordinating these efforts.

Key Facts:

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is on July 4, 2026.
Celebrations will feature parades, pageants, and fireworks.
A kickoff event is planned for July 3, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa.
President Trump is expected to announce plans for the Great America State Fair and Patriot Games.
The America250 Commission and Task Force 250 are the main organizing bodies.
The America250 Commission was established by Congress and includes about 30 members.
Task Force 250 was created by an executive order and involves federal agency officials.
Events aim to celebrate both historical achievements and future goals of the United States.

Source Information

NPR National

Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ passes Senate: What’s in it, who voted how?

July 02, 2025

The U.S. Senate narrowly passed a large tax and spending bill, supported by former President Trump, that includes major tax cuts and increased spending on defense and border security. The bill still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives and includes cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs to offset costs. The bill aims to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and is projected to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next decade.

Key Facts:

The Senate passed a large tax and spending bill backed by former President Trump.
The bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and increases in defense and border security spending.
It plans to make Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent, which were set to expire in 2025.
The new bill would raise the cap on state and local tax deductions from $10,000 to $40,000 for five years.
The bill would increase the child tax credit from $2,000 to $2,200 per child if passed.
It allocates $350 billion for border and national security, including $46 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
To fund these measures, it proposes reducing healthcare and food assistance programs, affecting Medicaid and SNAP.
The Congressional Budget Office predicts the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over ten years, and potentially leave 11.8 million more Americans without health insurance by 2034.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

5 ways Trump's tax bill will limit health care access

July 02, 2025

A new bill passed by the Senate, backed by President Donald Trump, plans to cut federal spending on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by about $1 trillion over 10 years. This reduction could result in roughly 12 million more people losing health insurance by 2034, potentially affecting hospitals and health centers financially and operationally. The bill also proposes a work requirement for Medicaid recipients in many states to maintain their benefits.

Key Facts:

The Senate passed a bill endorsed by President Trump that cuts spending on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by $1 trillion over the next decade.
Nearly 12 million more people could be without health insurance by 2034 due to these cuts, according to estimates.
The bill requires many Medicaid enrollees to work or meet other standards, with this affecting enrollees in 40 states and Washington, D.C.
The work requirement would not apply in 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under previous health reforms.
The legislation may lead to financial strain on hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers, possibly forcing them to cut services or close facilities.
The House of Representatives is set to consider the Senate's version of the bill.
Work requirements for Medicaid have been costly and administratively challenging in states like Georgia, which has spent millions on the program with limited returns on health benefits.

Source Information

NPR Home

Trump administration targets ATF, with plans to cut jobs and ease gun restrictions

July 02, 2025

The Trump administration plans to restructure the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by reducing its budget and easing some gun regulations. These changes involve making background checks last longer and letting gun dealers destroy records sooner, which could impact the agency’s oversight role in regulating gun sales.

Key Facts:

The Trump administration wants to change how the ATF works, including cutting its budget by 25%.
Over 500 investigator jobs at the ATF could be eliminated due to budget cuts.
The ATF inspects gun dealers and ensures they follow the law.
Background checks for buying guns could become valid for 60 days instead of 30 days.
Gun dealers may be allowed to destroy records after 20 years instead of keeping them indefinitely.
The ATF plays a key role in tracing guns used in crimes to help solve them.
The Department of Justice oversees the ATF and supports the proposed changes.
The ATF aims to focus more on tackling violent crime by reducing what it considers unnecessary regulations.

Source Information

NPR Home

UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case

July 02, 2025

The University of Pennsylvania changed several swimming records set by Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, to settle a federal civil rights case. The agreement involves restoring records to female athletes who competed against Thomas and involves apologies to those affected.

Key Facts:

Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, set records while competing for the University of Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Education Department investigated Penn for allegedly infringing on female athletes' rights.
Penn agreed to change records to reflect female athletes as record holders instead of Thomas.
The university will send apology letters to female athletes who were affected by Thomas' participation.
The school will not allow males to participate in female athletic events, based on a "biology-based" definition.
The NCAA now limits women’s sports competition to those assigned female at birth.
Penn stated it has always complied with NCAA and Title IX rules, which guide sports participation.

Source Information

NPR Home

US university bars trans athletes, erases records under pressure from Trump

July 02, 2025

The University of Pennsylvania agreed to restrict transgender athletes from women's sports and erase records set by a transgender swimmer, Lia Thomas, after discussions with the US Department of Education. This decision follows a federal civil rights investigation and changes to NCAA rules that limit participation in women's sports to those born female.

Key Facts:

UPenn will no longer allow transgender athletes in women's sports.
Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, had set records in women's swimming at UPenn.
The decision came after a federal investigation focused on Thomas's participation.
UPenn has removed Thomas's records from their official list.
NCAA rules now require athletes in women’s sports to be born female.
The US Department of Education found UPenn in violation of Title IX, a law ensuring no discrimination based on sex in education programs.
Public opinion is increasingly against trans women competing in female sports, according to recent polls.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

US university bans trans athletes under pressure from Trump administration

July 02, 2025

The University of Pennsylvania has decided to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and will erase records set by prominent transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. This follows an agreement with the US Department of Education after a federal investigation into Thomas's participation in women's events.

Key Facts:

The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) agreed to bar transgender athletes from women's sports.
UPenn will remove records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas from its women’s sports records.
The decision follows a federal civil rights investigation by the US Department of Education.
Lia Thomas is a transgender athlete who won an NCAA Division I title in 2022.
Thomas began transitioning with hormone replacement therapy in 2019.
The NCAA recently changed rules to limit women's events to athletes identified as female at birth.
UPenn's changes are part of a broader move in the US to limit transgender participation in sports.
UPenn acknowledged that some athletes felt disadvantaged by previous NCAA rules.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

The lighter side of immigration: A day at the park in Queens

July 02, 2025

This article discusses a day spent at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, highlighting the everyday life of immigrants. It is part of a different approach to covering immigration, focusing on positive and routine aspects rather than challenges or issues.

Key Facts:

The story focuses on the everyday life of immigrants in Queens, New York.
The event takes place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
The Unisphere, a 140-foot tall metal sculpture, is a notable landmark in the park.
The Unisphere was originally built for the 1964-1965 World's Fair.
The episode is a part of the NPR program Code Switch.
Xavier Lopez and Jasmine Garsd are among the producers and reporters involved in the story.

Source Information

NPR National

Two Chinese nationals charged for trying to recruit spies in US military

July 02, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged two Chinese citizens with spying and attempting to recruit people from within the U.S. military. These individuals, Yuance Chen and Liren “Ryan” Lai, allegedly worked for China’s Ministry of State Security and gathered intelligence on behalf of China.

Key Facts:

The two men accused are Yuance Chen, 38, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39.
They allegedly worked for China's Ministry of State Security, which handles intelligence.
The charges include spying and trying to recruit U.S. military personnel.
Chen is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. and was developed as an asset by Lai around 2021.
They reportedly left $10,000 in cash in a locker as payment for intelligence.
Chen collected information about the U.S. Navy, including sensitive details from Navy employees.
Both men were charged under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, which requires foreign agents to register with the U.S.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about Chinese espionage efforts.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

US Senate passes Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, sending it to the House

July 01, 2025

The U.S. Senate, with a narrow 51-to-50 vote involving the Vice President's tie-breaking decision, passed a significant tax bill promoted by President Donald Trump. The bill includes reductions in social programs and tax cuts that some argue primarily benefit the wealthy, and is now heading to the House of Representatives for a final vote.

Key Facts:

The Senate passed the tax bill with a 51-to-50 vote; the Vice President cast the deciding vote.
The bill includes extensions of President Trump's 2017 tax cuts.
It proposes reductions to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP (a program that helps low-income people buy food).
The bill could add $3.3 trillion to the national debt.
Approximately 11.8 million people might lose Medicaid coverage if the bill becomes law.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on the bill next.
President Trump hopes to pass the bill by July 4, Independence Day.
Some Republicans and Democrats criticize the bill for benefiting the wealthy and harming low-income Americans.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Venezuelan lawmakers declare UN human rights chief persona non grata

July 01, 2025

Venezuela's National Assembly declared UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk "persona non grata" after he criticized the government's human rights practices. This decision came after Turk spoke about reported arrests and disappearances in Venezuela. While this label has no immediate effects, it could lead to the expulsion of his office from the country.

Key Facts:

Venezuela's National Assembly voted unanimously against Volker Turk.
Turk had criticized Venezuela's human rights record during a UN meeting.
The Assembly President, Jorge Rodriguez, accused Turk of ignoring other issues.
Turk previously spoke out about the deportation of Venezuelans from the US.
Many human rights groups have criticized Venezuela for cracking down on the opposition.
Declaring someone "persona non grata" might lead to their expulsion.
Tensions rose after President Maduro's claimed election victory in 2024.
The Venezuelan government cracked down on dissent following the election.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

States sue Trump administration for sharing health data with DHS

July 01, 2025

Twenty states, led by California, are suing the Trump administration because federal health officials shared private Medicaid data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These states want to stop DHS from using this information to enforce immigration laws.

Key Facts:

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading the lawsuit.
The lawsuit aims to stop the sharing of Medicaid data with DHS.
The data includes details like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and immigration status.
Medicaid is a program that helps provide health care for low-income people.
The lawsuit is filed in federal court in San Francisco.
DHS says they are checking if Medicaid benefits are going to people not legally eligible.
The Department of Health and Human Services says the data sharing is legal.
The lawsuit coincides with the Senate passing a bill with cuts to Medicaid.

Source Information

NPR Home

WATCH: Trump speaks after visit to migrant detention facility in Florida Everglades

July 01, 2025

President Trump visited a new immigration detention center in Florida, located in the Everglades. He suggested this facility, surrounded by alligator-filled swamps, could serve as a model for similar centers in other states. The center's remoteness is intended to send a strong message about the consequences of not following U.S. immigration laws.

Key Facts:

President Trump toured a detention center built in the Florida Everglades.
The facility is called “Alligator Alcatraz” and is surrounded by alligators and swamps.
Trump wants similar centers in other states to increase deportations.
The facility can hold about 3,000 detainees and was built in eight days.
The center includes over 200 security cameras and extensive security measures.
Trump dismissed environmental concerns about building in the Everglades.
Protesters and supporters gathered during Trump's visit, each with differing views on immigration policies.
Trump toured the facility with state and federal officials, including Florida's governor.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Study: 14 million lives could be lost due to Trump aid cuts

July 01, 2025

The Trump administration has officially closed the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) after cutting many of its programs. A study in The Lancet says USAID saved over 90 million lives in the last 20 years and warns that ongoing cuts could result in 14 million deaths by 2030. Researchers found USAID's funding significantly reduced deaths from diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria.

Key Facts:

USAID started in 1961 and funded various health and education programs worldwide.
The Trump administration shut down USAID, claiming it misspent funds.
A study in The Lancet found USAID's aid reduced deaths by 15% overall, preventing an estimated 91 million deaths in 20 years.
Children's mortality rate dropped by 32% with high USAID funding.
USAID programs contributed to fewer deaths from diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other tropical diseases.
Researchers say that if USAID cuts continue until 2030, it could lead to 14 million deaths, including 4.5 million children.
USAID's impact was analyzed using demographic and death data from 133 countries.

Source Information

NPR Home

What’s in the version of Trump’s bill passed by the Senate and its chances in the House

July 01, 2025

President Trump's large domestic policy bill moved forward in the Senate. Vice President Vance cast the deciding vote to pass it after extended negotiations and changes.

Key Facts:

The legislation is a key part of President Trump's domestic policy.
The Senate passed the bill with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Vance.
Senators worked overnight and made last-minute updates to the bill.
The bill reduces Medicaid, which is a program that helps with medical costs for people with limited income.
It includes tax cuts worth trillions of dollars.
This is the most expensive budget bill that Congress has ever considered.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

News Wrap: ‘Diddy’ jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts and told to continue deliberating

July 01, 2025

Jurors have reached decisions on four out of five charges in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial. A large group of charities and aid organizations is asking for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to be shut down due to ongoing violence issues. Additionally, USAID has been closed and is now part of the State Department.

Key Facts:

Jurors decided on four of five charges in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial.
They will continue to discuss the remaining charge.
165 charities and aid groups want to close the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The reason for the request is continuous violence problems.
USAID has officially closed.
USAID's functions are now part of the State Department.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

U.S. withholds weapons promised to Ukraine as Russian forces gain more territory

July 01, 2025

The United States is delaying the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, which had been allocated by both the Biden administration and the previous Congress. This is happening while Russia is advancing territorially in Ukraine and has been conducting continuous drone and missile attacks.

Key Facts:

The United States is postponing sending weapons to Ukraine.
These weapons were already approved by the Biden administration and the previous Congress.
Russia has recently gained territory in Ukraine.
Russia has been carrying out constant drone and missile strikes against Ukraine.
The information was reported by Nick Schifrin from The News Hour.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Trump visits Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ urges more states to open ICE detention sites

July 01, 2025

Republicans are working on a bill to provide significant funding for President Trump's deportation efforts. Meanwhile, President Trump visited a new detention center in Florida, designed to hold many people who are awaiting deportation.

Key Facts:

Republicans are trying to pass a major bill for deportation funding.
The bill aims to allocate billions of dollars to aid President Trump's deportation plans.
President Trump visited a new detention center in Florida.
The center has been nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” by local officials.
The detention facility is located at an airport in the Florida Everglades.
The facility can house up to 5,000 people awaiting deportation.
Laura Barrón-López is the White House Correspondent reporting this news.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Trump visits 'Alligator Alcatraz', the next step in his immigration crackdown

July 01, 2025

President Donald Trump visited a new detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades. The facility is designed to hold about 1,000 migrants and is part of a plan to tighten immigration controls. The center's construction has raised environmental concerns among local residents and lawmakers.

Key Facts:

"Alligator Alcatraz" is located in the Florida Everglades and will hold around 1,000 migrants.
The center is built on an old airfield and aims to prevent escapes with the help of the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.
President Trump views the center as a key step in his strategy to control illegal immigration.
The facility will cost approximately $450 million per year to maintain.
Some lawmakers, the local mayor, and residents oppose the construction due to potential environmental harm.
Concerns focus on damage to wetlands and endangered species, impacting the large-scale restoration of the Everglades.
The site is located near Miami and is seen as a challenging place to escape from, similar to Alcatraz prison.
Environmental experts warn that the center did not undergo a strict environmental review process.

Source Information

BBC US